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Technical Note 13-01
Summary of Groundwater Conditions in Texas:
Recent (2010-2011) and Historical Water Level Changes in
the TWDB Online Recorder Network
by
Blake Neffendorf and Janie Hopkins, P.G.
February 2013
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Table of Contents
1.0 Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................................................2
2.0 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................3
3.0 Northwest Texas (High Plains and Rolling Plains) ...................................................................................................5
3.1 Major Aquifers .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Minor and Undesignated Aquifers ................................................................................................................................ 5
4.0 West Texas .........................................................................................................................................................14
4.1 Major Aquifers ............................................................................................................................................................ 14
4.2 Minor and Undesignated Aquifers .............................................................................................................................. 14
5.0 North Central Texas ............................................................................................................................................22
5.1 Major Aquifers ............................................................................................................................................................ 22
5.2 Minor Aquifer .............................................................................................................................................................. 22
6.0 South and East Texas ..........................................................................................................................................28
6.1 Major Aquifers ............................................................................................................................................................ 28
7.0 Central Texas (including the Hill Country) ............................................................................................................35
7.1 Major Aquifers ............................................................................................................................................................ 35
7.2 Minor Aquifers ............................................................................................................................................................ 35
8.0 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................................45
List of Figures2-1. Location of 110 recorders operated by the TWDB and cooperators and areas discussed in this report .......................................... 4
3-1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water level recorders in northwest Texas .......................................................... 6
3-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in northwest Texas. .................................................................................................. 9
4-1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water level recorders in west Texas. ................................................................ 15
4-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in west Texas. ......................................................................................................... 18
5-1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water level recorders in north central Texas .................................................... 23
5-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in north central Texas. ........................................................................................... 25
6-1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water level recorders south and east Texas ..................................................... 29
6-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in south and east Texas. ........................................................................................ 31
7.1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water-level recorders in central Texas .............................................................. 36
7-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in central Texas. ..................................................................................................... 38
List of Tables3-1. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells in northwest Texas counties. ........................................................................ 7
4-1. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells inwest Texas counties. ................................................................................ 16
5-2. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells in north central Texas counties. .................................................................. 24
6-1. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells in south and east Texas counties ................................................................ 30
7-2. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells in central Texas counties. ............................................................................ 37
8-1. Summary table of median water level changes, by aquifer and area. ............................................................................................. 45
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Summary of Groundwater Conditions in Texas:
Recent (2010-2011) and Historical Water Level
Changes in the TWDB Online Recorder Network
Blake Neffendorf and Janie Hopkins
1.0 Executive SummaryThe Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), in partnership with its cooperators, continues to install and monitor
automatic water level recorders in observation wells throughout the state. This report discusses the water level changes
observed in 2011 in the 110 recorder wells in the states nine major aquifers and in the 16 recorder wells in eight minor
and three undesignated aquifers. The TWDB posts hydrographs and daily water level measurements for these wells at
http://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/data/waterlevel.asp. The report does not include data from recorders addedto the network during 2011 or from wells equipped only with dataloggers. A relatively greater number of recorders exis
in areas that have experienced water level declines, such as in the High Plains, and more recently in areas where
groundwater use is increasing, such as in Central Texas. More than half of the 110 recorders discussed in this report are
in wells in major aquifers: 26 are in wells in the Ogallala Aquifer and 33 are in wells in the Central Texas Trinity Aquifer.
A greater median water level decline occurred in more recorder wells from 2010 to 2011 in comparison to 2009 to 2010
Water level declines with a median total of 4.8 feet occurred in 101 of 110 wells completed in major aquifers from 2010
to 2011. This median water level decline was nearly three times greater than the water level decline of 1.9 feet that
occurred in 55 of these 99 (with available measurements) wells in major aquifers from 2009 to 2010. The water level rise
of 2.5 feet that occurred in 44 (of the 99 wells with available measurements) from 2010 to 2011 was only 40 percentgreater than the median 1.5 feet of rise that occurred in nine of the 110 wells from 2010 to 2011.
Considering water level change by region, the 33 Central Texas Trinity Aquifer wells experienced the greatest decline, or
a total median change of -16.7 feet from 2010 to 2011. The 16 west Texas Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) wells experienced
the least decline, a median change of -0.7 feet. The one recorder well in the Hueco-Mesilla Bolson Aquifer in El Paso tha
experienced a rise of 1.5 feet from 2010 to 2011, was not included in this comparison. From 2009 to 2010, the Central
Texas Trinity Aquifer wells experienced the greatest total median water level change, a rise of 2.8 feet. The La Salle
County recorder well experienced the greatest decline (and change) of any of the recorders, or 76.5 feet, from 2010 to
2011.
http://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/data/waterlevel.asphttp://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/data/waterlevel.asphttp://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/data/waterlevel.asp -
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2.0 Introduction
An automatic groundwater level recorder well, or recorder well, refers to an unused water well equipped with a water-
level recording instrument (a recorder) and a datalogger. The recorder is a sensorthat obtains the actual water level
measurement. An optical sensor (or encodera measurement device that converts mechanical motion into electronic
signals) uses a float and pulley system to obtain measurements, whereas a pressure sensor uses water pressure changes
to obtain the data. Typically older recorders use encoders, and newer ones are outfitted with pressure sensors or
transducers; the TWDB operates both. The main electronic unit that receives the data from the sensor and stores the
measurements is the logger or datalogger.
Additionally, the majority of TWDB (and cooperator) wells with recorders are also equipped with telemetry. This report
summarizes water level changes from these wells but does not include a discussion of water level changes in a number
of wells (mainly in Pecos County) that are only equipped with dataloggers. A transmitterreceives data from the logger at
scheduled intervals and transmits the information to a receiving site. TWDB (and cooperator) recorders use the
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES satellite) system to relay data, although some groundwater
conservation district (GCD) programs use a cell phone network.
As of January 2011, the TWDB was operating 110 recorders in the states nine major aquifers, 13 recorders in eight
minor aquifers, and three recorders in three undesignated aquifers. All recorder wells are equipped with satellite
telemetry that allows publication of near real-time (provisional) data on the TWDB web site. This annual summary
report includes location maps, tables listing water level changes, and hydrographs for the period of record (up through
the end of 2011) in all online recorders in these geographic areas (figure 2-1):
Northwest Texas (Ogallala and Seymour major aquifers; Edwards-Trinity (High Plains) minor aquifer; and oneundesignated aquifer),
West Texas (Hueco-Mesilla Bolson and Pecos Valley major aquifers; Bone Spring-Victorio Peak, Igneous, WestTexas Bolsons, and Lipan minor aquifers; and two undesignated aquifers),
North-Central Texas (Trinity and Edwards (BFZ) major aquifers and Woodbine minor aquifer), East and South Texas ( Carrizo-Wilcox and Gulf Coast major aquifers), and Central Texas (Trinity and Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) major aquifers and Hickory and Ellenburger-San Saba minor
aquifers).
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Figure 2-1. Location of 110 recorder wells operated by the TWDB and cooperators and areas discussed in this report.
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3.0 Northwest Texas (including the High Plains and Rolling Plains)
The TWDB monitors 30 recorder wells in the northwest part of the state, in the High Plains (Panhandle) and the Rolling
Plains areas (figure 3-1). There are 28 wells in the High Plains, including 26 wells completed in the Ogallala Aquifer, one
in the Edwards-Trinity High Plains Aquifer (in Hale County), and one in the Whitehorse Aquifer (in Wheeler County). Two
wells are in the Rolling Plains and are completed in the Seymour Aquifer.
3.1 Major aquifersWater levels declined in all but one of the 26 Ogallala Aquifer wells from 2010 to 2011 (table 3-1 and figure 3-2).
Changes in levels ranged from +1.2 feet to -36.9 feet, with a median of -1.8 feet and an average of -3.5 feet. By contrast,
water level changes in these Ogallala Aquifer wells from 2009 to 2010 ranged from -18.4 feet to +6.48 feet, with a
median change of -0.4 feet and an average change of -1 foot.
The Ogallala Aquifer is used primarily for crop irrigation and has experienced water level decline throughout its extent
as corroborated in the historical and yearly average changes. The Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District has also
increased monitoring efforts in the past decade through the installation of 11 recorder wells where groundwater is also
being pumped for municipal purposes, e.g. in Roberts, Carson, Potter, and Armstrong counties. The largest 2010 to 2011
decline (nearly 37 feet) in the Ogallala Aquifer occurred in one of the districts monitoring wells0510923in Roberts
County.
Water level rises in the Ogallala Aquifer have occurred, but less frequently and in fewer locations than water level
declines. Typically, these water level rises occur within an overall trend of decline. Smaller rises, such as the one
experienced in the southern High Plains (e.g., a 1.2 foot rise in Dawson 2825604 recorder well after a 1.1 foot rise in the
previous year) for the most recent year occur in a few other areas throughout the Panhandle where irrigation pumping
has decreased. There may be other factors that account for the small declines in several Dawson County wells.
The Seymour Aquifer wells experienced declines of 2.3 feet in Haskell County and 4.0 feet in Baylor County from 2010 to
2011, after a rise in each of 0.2 and 2.2 feet, respectively, between 2009 and 2010. Well depths in Baylor County in
general and specifically in this recorder well (35 feet vs. Haskell Countys 59-foot depth) are shallower, which may
account for the slightly more pronounced declines and rises in the Seymour Aquifer in Baylor County.
3.2 Minor and undesignated aquifers
As with the majority of the recorder wells in this region, the water levels in the Hale County Edwards-Trinity High Plains
and Wheeler County Whitehorse Aquifer recorder wells declined 2.6 feet and 4.5 feet respectively from 2010 to 2011.
The preceding years change was a rise of 2.8 feet in the Hale County well, but a decline of 1.7 feet in the Wheeler
County well.
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Figure 3-1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water level recorders in northwest Texas.
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Table 3-1. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells in northwest Texas counties for various time periods.
County & well # Aquifer
2011
Change (ft)
2010
Change (ft)
2007-2011
Change (ft)
2002-2011
Change (ft)
Historical
Change (ft)
Historical
Yearly Avg. (ft)
Hansford 0354301 Ogallala -0.83 -0.50 -4.29 -10.24 -83.18 (1951) -1.36
Roberts 0503709 Ogallala -0.59 0.63 0.09 N/A -1.00 (2005) -0.15
Roberts 0509553 Ogallala -2.56 -0.33 -9.09 N/A -16.30 (2002) -1.81
Roberts 0510953 Ogallala -36.93 -18.35 -56.58 -57.18 -57.18 (2002) -5.72Roberts 0517203 Ogallala -0.62 -0.37 -3.07 -6.27 -6.73 (2000) -0.56
Gray 0526501 Ogallala -1.65 -1.90 -3.13 -5.89 -25.05 (1958) -0.46
Wheeler 0529711 Ogallala -1.75 -0.39 -3.19 N/A -10.24 (1967) -0.23
Wheeler 0539904 Whitehorse -4.51 -1.71 0.05 N/A -15.44 (1966) -0.34
Hutchinson 0616702 Ogallala -0.76 -0.80 -0.41 N/A -4.17 (2003) -0.52
Potter 0635912 Ogallala -1.69 -0.63 -4.79 N/A -5.33 (2006) -0.97
Carson 0636602 Ogallala -4.79 -1.82 -16.94 -24.65 -95.46 (1955) -1.74
Carson 0645305 Ogallala -4.15 -1.45 -7.18 N/A -9.18 (2003) -1.02
Armstrong 0652603 Ogallala -0.46 -0.17 -1.58 -2.17 -2.17 (2001) -0.22
Armstrong 0655504 Ogallala -2.52 -0.18 N/A N/A -31.75 (1975) -0.88
Hartley 0712401 Ogallala -2.52 -1.03 -9.01 -20.33 -29.56 (1963) -0.60
Deaf Smith 1004901 Ogallala -2.23 -1.59 -5.68 -4.58 -27.67 (1975) -0.75
Bailey 1051909 Ogallala -1.10 1.04 -5.25 -11.51 -17.37 (1981) -0.58
Lamb 1053602 Ogallala -1.30 -1.91 -8.88 -22.80 -112.33 (1951) -1.84
Swisher 1142315 Ogallala -0.49 -0.42 -2.07 -4.71 -15.67 (1988) -0.67
Hale 1151403 Ogallala -1.88 -2.70 -10.52 -19.90 -45.13 (1988) -1.91
Donley 1202959 Ogallala -4.86 N/A N/A N/A -4.08 (2010) -4.08
Donley 1204452 Ogallala -5.52 1.85 N/A N/A -4.22 (2009) -1.69
Donley 1211118 Ogallala -0.41 -0.43 N/A N/A -2.41 (2008) -0.64
Baylor 2122850 Seymour -3.96 2.23 N/A N/A -2.94 (2009) -0.98
Haskell 2135748 Seymour -2.34 0.24 -3.84 N/A -4.75 (2002) -0.51
Hale 2310401
Edwards-
Trinity (High
Plains) -2.62 2.75 -0.18 0.14 0.58 (2001) 0.06
Crosby 2330103 Ogallala -3.40 1.83 -4.02 -7.73 -8.13 (1965) -0.18
Martin 2739903 Ogallala -2.95 -3.10 -5.99 -6.94 -35.37 (1964) -0.75
Dawson 2817119 Ogallala -5.34 6.48 -1.88 -13.86 -16.28 (2001) -1.48
Dawson 2825604 Ogallala 1.20 1.09 4.65 3.28 4.56 (2000) 0.38
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Potter County Recorder 0635912
Carson County Recorder 0636602
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Figure 3-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in northwest Texas counties.
0
50
100
150
200
1950 1965 1980 1995 2010
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 03-54-301
Hansford County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 185 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 05-03-709
Roberts County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: N/A
150
200
250
300
350
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 05-09-553
Roberts County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 580 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 05-10-953
Roberts County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 360 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2000 2003 2006 2009 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 05-17-203
Roberts County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 466 ft
250
300
350
400
450
1953 1968 1983 1998 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 05-26-501Gray County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 537 ft
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Figure 3-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in northwest Texas counties.
0
50
100
150
200
2006 2008 2010 2012
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 05-29-711
Wheeler County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 270 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2006 2008 2010 2012
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 05-39-904
Wheeler County, Whitehorse Aquifer
Well Depth: 110 ft
150
200
250
300
350
2003 2006 2009 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 06-16-702
Hutchinson County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: N/A
250
300
350
400
450
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 06-35-912
Potter County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 604 ft
350
400
450
500
550
1953 1968 1983 1998 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 06-36-602
Carson County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 767 ft
350
400
450
500
550
2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 06-45-305Carson County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 782 ft
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Figure 3-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in northwest Texas counties.
100
150
200
250
300
2000 2003 2006 2009 2012
Depthtow
aterinft
.
SWN 06-52-603
Armstrong County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: N/A
250
300
350
400
450
1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 06-55-504
Armstrong County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 500 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1963 1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 07-12-401
Hartley County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 326 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 10-04-901
Deaf Smith County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 321 ft
50
100
150
200
250
1981 1989 1997 2005 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 10-51-909
Bailey County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 243 ft
0
50
100
150
200
1950 1965 1980 1995 2010
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 10-53-602
Lamb County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 202 ft
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Figure 3-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in northwest Texas counties.
100
150
200
250
300
1988 1994 2000 2006 2012
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 11-42-315
Swisher County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 231 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1988 1994 2000 2006 2012
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 11-51-403
Hale County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 298 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 12-02-959
Donley County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: N/A
50
100
150
200
250
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 12-04-452
Donley County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 234 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 12-11-118
Donley County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 165 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 21-22-850
Baylor County, Seymour Aquifer
Well Depth: 35 ft
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Figure 3-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in northwest Texas counties.
0
50
100
150
200
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowater
inft.
SWN 21-35-748
Haskell County, Seymour Aquifer
Well Depth: 59 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowater
inft.
SWN 23-10-401
Hale County, Edwards-Trinity High Plains Aquifer
Well Depth: 223 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1965 1977 1989 2001 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 23-30-103
Crosby County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 300 ft50
100
150
200
250
1964 1976 1988 2000 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 27-39-903
Martin County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 182 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2000 2003 2006 2009 2012
D
epthtowaterinft.
SWN 28-17-119
Dawson County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 142 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2000 2003 2006 2009 2012
D
epthtowaterinft.
SWN 28-25-604
Dawson County, Ogallala Aquifer
Well Depth: 191 ft
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4.0 West Texas
TWDB monitors 24 wells in West Texas (figure 4-1) of which 16 are wells completed in major aquifers and 8 are wells
completed in the minor aquifers. The wells completed in the major aquifers include 13 wells in the Edwards Trinity
(Plateau) Aquifer, two wells in the Pecos Valley Aquifer, and one well in the Hueco-Mesilla Bolson Aquifer. The eight
recorder wells in minor aquifers include two in the Lipan Aquifer, two wells in the Bone Spring-Victorio Peak Aquifer,
one well in the West Texas Bolsons, and one well in the Igneous Aquifer. One recorder well is completed in Quaternary
volcanic rocks of an undesignated aquifer in Brewster County, and one recorder well is completed in the Cretaceous
Aquifer in Culberson County.
4.1 Major Aquifers
Water level changes in the wells completed in major aquifers were mainly declines (table 4-1 and figure 4-2). Water leve
changes in the Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer wells between 2010 and 2011 ranged from +1.87 foot in Sutton County
to -11.9 in central Pecos County, with a median of -0.7 feet and an average of -2.25 feet. The median water level change
in the wells with available measurements from the preceding year (2009 to 2010) was -1.3 feet with an average of -1.8
feet and a range of +0.8 to -8.1 feet.
Water levels in two Pecos Valley Aquifer recorder wells declined 2.6 and 12. 5 feet from 2010 to 2011, in comparison to
the previous year declines of 2.5 feet and 0.5 feet, respectively.
Water levels in the Hueco-Mesilla Bolson Aquifer well rose 1.5 feet from 2010 to 2011 after the preceding years rise of
nearly one foot. The levels in this well have declined 58 feet over a nearly 60-year period. However, in the past several
years the water levels, while continuing to fluctuate a negligible amount, have remained relatively flat.
4.2 Minor and Undesignated Aquifers
Water level changes in wells completed in minor aquifers were the greatest in the two Lipan Aquifer wells in Tom Green
County. Water levels from 2010 to 2011 declined in both wells: 13.1 and 14.0 feet, compared to the 2009 to 2010
change of +0.1 and +4.0 feet, respectively.
The hydrograph of the Bone Spring-Victorio Peak Aquifer well in Hudspeth County with the longest (56 year) history inthese West Texas wells reveals an overall water level decline. However, water levels in this aquifer have experienced
seasonal rebounds and remained relatively flat from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. The hydrograph of the recently-
installed second Bone Spring-Victorio Peak Aquifer well recorder also reveals an average rate of decline at 1.1 feet/year,
a decline rate greater than that in the recorder on the well with the long history, currently at 0.7 feet/year of decline.
From 2010 to 2011 water level changes in the recorder wells were -0.5 feet in the Igneous Aquifer of Jeff Davis County
(Fort Davis State Park) and +0.3 feet in the West Texas Bolsons Aquifer of Presidio County From 2009 to 2010 these
changes were +0.1 and +0.4 feet, respectively. For the 12 and 32 years of monitoring, water levels in these wells have
experienced changes of -3.7 and +16.7, respectively.
The water level change from 2010 to 2011 in the Cretaceous Aquifer recorder well in Culberson County was -0.3 feet
following a 2009 to 2010 change of- 0.1 feet. For the 16-year period of record, the water level declined by 0.7 feet. The
water level change from 2010 to 2011 in the Volcanics Aquifer recorder well in Brewster County was -10.6 feet following
a 2009 to 2010 change of -12.8 feet. For the four-year period of record, the water level declined by 21.7 feet. This
unused well in Big Bend National Park is within 100 to 200 feet of several active municipal supply park wells.
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Figure 4-1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water level recorders in Wwest Texas.
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Table 4-1. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells in West Texas counties for various time periods.
County & well # Aquifer1
2011
Change
(ft)
2010
Change (ft)
2007-2011
Change (ft)
2002-2011
Change (ft)
Historical
Change (ft)
Historical
Yearly Avg. (ft)
4337101 Tom Green Lipan -13.11 0.11 -10.71 N/A -13.44 (2005) -2.07
4345306 Tom Green Lipan -13.95 3.95 -2.68 -6.32 -24.14 (1991) -1.21
4412611 Glasscock ET (P) -3.02 -0.17 -6.58 -15.93 -15.03 (2001) -1.40
4420854 Reagan ET (P) -0.12 -1.33 -2.46 -5.15 -15.8 (1990) -0.72
4644501 Reeves Pecos Valley -2.58 -2.49 -6.87 -12.15 -54.39 (1952) -0.91
4648604 Pecos Pecos Valley -12.45 -0.49 -19.68 -15.76 -163.38 (1958) -3.03
4759123 Culberson Cretaceous -0.30 -0.16 -2.51 -4.32 -11.88 (1995) -0.74
4807516 Hudspeth
Bone Spring-
Victorio Peak -2.19 -0.12 -4.88 -9.47 -31.61 (1966) -0.69
4815903 Hudspeth
Bone Spring-
Victorio Peak -2.90 0.80 -5.50 N/A -6.40 (2006) -1.11
4913301 El Paso
Hueco Mesilla
Bolson 1.51 0.98 -0.75 -3.42 -57.70 (1964) -1.23
5129805 Presidio
West Texas
Bolson 0.29 0.40 1.20 2.63 16.72 (1979) 0.51
5216802 Pecos ET (P) -5.55 -8.14 -22.22 0.36 45.78 (1976) 1.27
5225209 Jeff Davis Igneous -0.54 0.08 -1.83 -2.81 -3.68 (1999) -0.29
5319701 Pecos ET (P) -11.93 -4.94 N/A N/A -16.13 (2009) -8.07
5320603 Pecos ET (P) -0.96 -1.64 N/A N/A -2.80 (2009) -1.12
5320903 Pecos ET (P) -0.74 N/A N/A N/A -1.33 (2010) -0.89
5321704 Pecos ET (P) 0.07 N/A N/A N/A -0.22 (2010) -0.18
5328303 Pecos ET (P) 0.19 0.05 N/A N/A 0.69 (2008) 0.20
5423106 Crockett ET (P) -0.67 -0.84 0.15 N/A 1.80 (1963) 0.04
5463401 Val Verde ET (P) -0.67 0.77 N/A N/A -0.43 (2005) -0.07
5512134 Schleicher ET (P) -7.74 -1.88 -15.72 N/A -9.08 (2003) -1.07
5545308 Sutton ET (P) 1.87 -2.08 N/A N/A -1.49 (2009) -0.50
7001707 Val Verde ET (P) 0.02 0.03 N/A N/A -3.55 (2006) -0.62
7347404 Brewster Volcanics -10.59 -12.79 N/A N/A -21.71 (2007) -4.82
1. ET(P) Edwards Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer
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Brewster County Recorder 7347404
Pecos County Recorder 5216802
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Figure 4-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in West Texas.
0
50
100
150
200
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 43-37-101
Tom Green County, Lipan Aquifer
Well Depth: 99 ft
0
50
100
150
200
1990 1996 2002 2008 2014
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 43-45-306
Tom Green County, Lipan Aquifer
Well Depth: 155 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 44-12-611Glasscock County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 306 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1989 1995 2001 2007 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 44-20-854Reagan County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 353 ft
50
100
150
200
250
1950 1966 1982 1998 2014
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 46-44-501
Reeves County, Pecos Valley Aquifer
Well Depth: 627 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1953 1968 1983 1998 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 46-48-604
Pecos County, Pecos Valley Aquifer
Well Depth: 425 ft
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Figure 4-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in West Texas.
150
200
250
300
350
1993 1998 2003 2008 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 47-59-123Culberson County, Cretaceous Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,100 ft
0
50
100
150
200
1965 1977 1989 2001 2013
Depthtowater
inft.
SWN 48-07-516Hudspeth County, Bone Spring - Victorio Peak Aquifer
Well Depth: 300 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 48-15-903Hudspeth County, Bone Spring - Victorio Peak Aquifer
Well Depth: 250 ft
150
200
250
300
350
1964 1976 1988 2000 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 49-13-301El Paso County, Hueco - Mesilla Bolson Aquifer
Well Depth: 640 ft
300
350
400
450
500
1977 1986 1995 2004 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 51-29-805
Presidio County, West Texas Bolson Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,648 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1976 1985 1994 2003 2012
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 52-16-802
Pecos County, Edwards-Trinty Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 448 ft
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Figure 4-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in West Texas.
0
50
100
150
200
1997 2001 2005 2009 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 52-25-209
Jeff Davis County, Igneous Aquifer
Well Depth: 392 ft
450
500
550
600
650
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 53-19-701
Pecos County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 634 ft
400
450
500
550
600
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 53-20-603
Pecos County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 503 ft
500
550
600
650
700
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 53-20-903
Pecos County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,000 ft
500
550
600
650
700
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 53-21-704
Pecos County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 946 ft
600
650
700
750
800
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 53-28-303
Pecos County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 890 ft
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Figure 4-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in West Texas.
200
250
300
350
400
2000 2003 2006 2009 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 54-23-106Crockett County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 397 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 54-63-401Val Verde County, Edwards Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 710 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 55-12-134Schleicher County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 351 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 55-45-308Sutton County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 307 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 70-01-707Val Verde County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 90 ft
50
100
150
200
250
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 73-47-404
Brewster County, Volcanics Aquifer
Well Depth: 620 ft
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5.0 North Central Texas
TWDB monitors 18 recorders in North Central Texas, all but one of which are in wells completed in major aquifers (figure
5-1). Thirteen wells are completed in the Trinity Aquifer, four wells are in the northern segment of the Edwards Trinity
(Balcones Fault Zone (BFZ)) Aquifer in (south central) Bell and Williamson counties, and one well is in the minor
Woodbine Aquifer in Grayson County.
5.1 Major Aquifers
The Trinity Aquifer covers a large area with diverse hydrologic conditions. Monitoring wells with recorders operated bythe TWDB extend from Tarrant and Dallas counties in the north to Williamson County in the south and are also
completed in both the outcrop and downdip (artesian) portions of the aquifer. Water levels in recorder wells in the
Trinity Aquifer experienced relatively large declines compared to water level declines in recorder wells in other major
aquifers (table 5-1 and figure 5-2). Between 2010 and 2011, changes ranged from -0.6 feet in the Tarrant County well to
-43.1 foot in the McLennan County recorder south of Waco, with a median change of -8.5 feet and an average of -12.0
feet. By contrast, between 2009 and 2010, water level changes ranged from +2.4 to -8.8 feet with a median water level
change in the 11 wells with available measurements of -0.2 feet and an average of -2.5 feet.
The McLennan County recorder well has been measured since 1964 and water levels have declined nearly 720 feet. The
Williamson County 5859603 well was initially monitored as a flowing artesian well, with a water level at an estimated
height of 50 feet above land surface from the 1958 original pressure gauge reading. However, recent water level
measurements show a water level at nearly 200 feet below land surface.
In the four Edwards (BFZ) Aquifer recorder wells, changes between 2010 and 2011 ranged from +10.5 to -21.4 feet, with
a median change of -3.5 feet and an average change of -4.5 feet. Between 2009 and 2010, changes ranged from +2.7 to
22.8 feet with a median change of -2.6 feet and and average change of -6.3 feet.
Two of these Edwards (BFZ) Aquifer wells have been measured since 1980 (table 5-1), with water level declines ranging
from . -7.2 and -4.8 feet, or an average of -0.2 feet per year. These overall changes are similar to the changes
experienced in other Edwards (BFZ) Aquifer wells farther to the south. Recorders in the Barton Springs and San Antonio
segments of the Edwards (BFZ) Aquifer, operated by other entities, are not discussed in this report.
5.2 Minor Aquifer
The TWDB monitors one unused public (City of Dennison) supply well in the Woodbine Aquifer. The water level declined
by 18.9 feet from 2010 to 2011, a sharper decline than the previous years decline of 13.6 feet. Overall, levels have
dropped nearly 50 feet since the well was first measured in 1969.
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Figure 5-1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water level recorders in North Central Texas.
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Table 5-1. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells in North Central Texas counties for various time periods.
County & well # Aquifer
2011
Change (ft)
2010
Change (ft)
2007-2011
Change (ft)
2002-2011
Change (ft)
Historical
Change (ft)
Historical
Yearly Avg. (ft)
Grayson 1819301 Woodbine -18.86 -13.63 12.94 N/A -48.27 (1969) -1.15
Erath 3155504 Trinity -9.20 1.57 -5.45 -3.52 -5.94 (2000) -0.30
Tarrant 3215504 Trinity -0.58 -5.20 -6.78 -6.09 -73.20 (1955) -1.30
Hood 3242604 Trinity -4.14 0.71 0.73 -14.27 -26.08 (1997) -1.80
Dallas 3319101 Trinity -15.79 N/A -14.77 -8.41 -268.79 (1954) -4.67
Dallas 3325202 Trinity -30.39 1.22 N/A -59.67 -36.05 (2000) -3.20
Coryell 4026201 Trinity -5.38 -2.10 -15.48 -30.52 -56.49 (1990) -2.66
Coryell 4035404 Trinity -10.71 -3.84 -26.28 -47.69 -200.23 (1955) -3.54
McLennan 4039204 Trinity -43.15 -8.75 -64.48 -96.59 -718.78 (1964) -15.29
Coryell 4049601 Trinity -4.93 -0.16 -1.34 -14.98 -17.81 (1993) -0.94
Bell 4057601 Trinity -8.48 2.43 N/A N/A 8.22 (2009) 3.65
Bell 4057602 Trinity -2.85 1.14 N/A N/A -3.96 (2009) -1.76
Bell 4058201 Trinity -1.06 N/A N/A N/A -1.93 (2010) -1.10
Bell 5804628 Edwards (BFZ) 10.35 -22.81 N/A N/A 4.00 (2008) 1.33Bell 5804702 Edwards (BFZ) -3.77 -1.59 -2.65 -3.40 -4.80 (1980) -0.15
Bell 5804816 Edwards (BFZ) -3.25 -3.64 N/A N/A -2.01 (2008) -0.57
Williamson 5827305 Edwards (BFZ) -21.43 2.66 5.30 -26.29 -7.24 (1980) -0.23
Williamson 5829603 Trinity -19.52 -7.59 -20.64 -22.35 -244.48 (1946) -3.73
Hood County Recorder 3242604
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Figure 5-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in North Central Texas.
200
250
300
350
400
1969 1980 1991 2002 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 18-19-301
Grayson County, Woodbine Aquifer
Well Depth: 788 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2000 2003 2006 2009 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 31-55-504Erath County, Twin Mtns Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 332 ft
350
400
450
500
550
1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 32-15-504Tarrant County, Paluxy Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 667 ft
200
250
300
350
400
1997 2001 2005 2009 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 32-42-604Hood County, Twin Mtns Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 470 ft
350
400
450
500
550
1969 1980 1991 2002 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 33-19-101Dallas County, Twin Mtns Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 3,076 ft
1000
1050
1100
1150
1200
2000 2003 2006 2009 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 33-25-202Dallas County, Twin Mtns Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 2,568 ft
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Figure 5-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in North Central Texas.
600
650
700
750
800
1989 1995 2001 2007 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 40-26-201Coryell County, Travis Pk Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 908 ft
350
400
450
500
550
1993 1998 2003 2008 2013
Depthtowater
inft.
SWN 40-35-404Coryell County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 755 ft
650
700
750
800
850
900
950
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 40-39-204
McLennan County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,914
200
250
300
350
400
1993 1998 2003 2008 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 40-49-601Coryell County, Travis Pk Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 440 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 40-57-601Bell County, Cow Creek Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 469 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 40-57-602Bell County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 629 ft
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Figure 5-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in North Central Texas.
0
50
100
150
200
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 40-58-201Bell County, Pearsall Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 435 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 58-04-628
Bell County, Edwards BFZ Aquifer
Well Depth: 129 ft
0
50
100
150
200
1980 1988 1996 2004 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 58-04-702
Bell County, Edwards BFZ Aquifer
Well Depth: 95 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 58-04-816
Bell County, Edwards BFZ Aquifer
Well Depth: 170 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1980 1988 1996 2004 2012
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 58-27-305
Williamson County, Edwards BFZ Aquifer
Well Depth: 314 ft
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
1942 1960 1978 1996 2014
Dep
thtowaterinft.
SWN 58-29-603
Williamson County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 3,335 ft
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6.0 South and East Texas
The TWDB monitors 16 recorder wells in South and East Texas(figure 6-1) that are completed in either the Carrizo-
Wilcox or Gulf Coast major aquifers. Most of the wells have short historical periods of record, with the exception of
three recorders in Gulf Coast Aquifer wells in Harris, Victoria, and Duval counties, in which records begin in the late
1940s, late 1950s, and early 1960s, and in two Carrizo-Wilcox wells in Milam and Smith counties, in which records began
in the 1980s. Some entities in Harris County have measured water levels for the past 60 years. Currently, the TWDB is
operating eight recorders in wells completed in the Gulf Coast Aquifer and eight recorders in wells completed in the
Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer throughout the region.
6.1 Major Aquifers
Water level declines in the eight Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer recorder wells ranged from 0.6 feet in the Bastrop County well
to 76.5 feet in the La Salle County well during the 2010-2011 period (table 6-1 and figure 6-2). The median water-level
decline was 4.4 feet and the average decline was 17.1 feet. From 2009 to 2010, the change in water levels ranged from
+7.6 feet to -14.6 feet and the median change was -1.5 feet, with an average change of -2.2 feet.
Irrigation pumpage during the drought has increased substantially in the Wintergarden area of southwest Texas,
particularly Zavala, Wilson, and Atascosa counties. Pumping of groundwater has also increased to support oil and gas
exploration and production activities related to the Eagle Ford Shale. The greatest decline of water level has been in the
La Salle County well, which, in comparison to water levels in all of the recorder wells in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, has
shown the greatest historical changenearly 136 feet of declinesince measurements began in 2003.
Between 2010 and 2011, water level changes in the eight Gulf Coast Aquifer wells ranged from +8.7 feet in
northernmost Wharton County well to -13.8 feet in the Karnes County well with a median change of -6.3 feet and an
average of -5.7 feet. Between 2009 and 2010, the change in the five wells with available measurements ranged from
+7.4 feet to -0.9 feet with a median change of +0.9 feet and an average change of +2.2 feet.
The Wharton County (6661302) and the Duval County wells are located in areas that experience groundwater pumping
for seasonal irrigation and municipal needs, respectively. Municipal groundwater pumping also occurs in the vicinity of
the Karnes County well. This well, first measured in 1956, has experienced nearly 144 feet of water-level decline, the
greatest decline historically of these recorder wells. Currently, the rate of water level decline is lower than that in the La
Salle Carrizo(-Wilcox) Aquifer well, but a comparison is not quite appropriate due to the much longer period of record in
the Karnes County well.
The Harris County well hydrograph illustrates a decline and rebound pattern typical in several monitored wells in
southern Harris County and northern Fort Bend, Brazoria, and Gavleston counties. Municpal groundwater pumpage
from the 1950s to the late 1970s/early 1980s was great enough to cause subsidence in much of these counties. With a
switch from groundwater to surface water for municipal supply, groundwater levels began to rise, and in some areas to
levels higher than originally recorded.
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Figure 6-1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water level recorders South and East Texas.
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Table 6-1. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorder wells in South and East Texas counties for various time
periods.
County & well # Aquifer
2011
Change (ft)
2010
Change (ft)
2007-2011
Change (ft)
2002-2011
Change (ft)
Historical
Change (ft)
Historical
Yearly Avg. (ft)
3430907 Smith Wilcox -2.94 -1.34 -4.84 -21.29 -70.18 (1977) -2.81
3541604 Rusk Wilcox -4.66 N/A N/A N/A -1.96 (2010) -1.57
5862208 Bastrop Wilcox -0.56 -2.64 2.34 N/A -6.90 (2003) -0.84
5911621 Milam Wilcox -3.70 -1.48 -3.82 N/A -5.14 (1981) -0.17
5953915 Washington Gulf Coast -4.28 -0.88 -3.96 N/A -5.73 (2002) -0.59
6514409 Harris Gulf Coast -10.07 7.39 1.19 39.47 -71.93 (1947) -1.16
6631107 Wharton Gulf Coast 8.74 N/A N/A N/A 10.92 (2010) 8.74
6653406 Wharton Gulf Coast -4.50 0.94 N/A N/A -30.27 (1947) -0.47
6661302 Wharton Gulf Coast -9.41 3.04 -9.72 N/A 11.78 (2005) 1.81
6862104 Wilson Carrizo -18.60 7.59 15.70 16.73 -2.12 (1994) -0.12
7702509 Zavala Carrizo -4.15 -14.62 -14.74 N/A -22.97 (2002) -2.46
7738103 La Salle Carrizo -76.51 -5.36 -131.49 N/A -135.96 (2003) -17.00
7804508 Atascosa Carrizo -25.57 2.41 N/A N/A -16.46 (2008) -4.70
7910406 Karnes Gulf Coast -13.76 N/A N/A N/A -143.73 (1956) -2.57
8017502 Victoria Gulf Coast -5.83 0.29 -10.78 10.47 -4.95 (1958) -0.09
8415702 Duval Gulf Coast -6.72 N/A 31.08 23.33 -21.71 (1964) -0.45
Rusk County Recorder 3541604
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Figure 6-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in South and East Texas.
300
350
400
450
500
1985 1992 1999 2006 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 34-30-907Smith County, Carrizo Sand - Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Well Depth: 710 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 35-41-604Rusk County, Wilcox Group - Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Well Depth: 422 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 58-62-208Bastrop County, Wilcox Group - Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Well Depth: 640 ft
0
50
100
150
200
1980 1988 1996 2004 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 59-11-621Milam County, Carrizo Sand - Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Well Depth: 232 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Dep
thtowaterinft.
SWN 59-53-915Washington County, Jasper Formation - Gulf Coast Aquifer
Well Depth: 820 ft
150
200
250
300
350
1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013
Dep
thtowaterinft.
SWN 65-14-409Harris County, Evangeline Formation - Gulf Coast Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,152 ft
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Figure 6-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in South and East Texas.
0
50
100
150
200
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowater
inft.
SWN 66-31-107Wharton County, Evangeline Formation - Gulf Coast Aquifer
Well Depth: 450 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowater
inft.
SWN 66-53-406
Wharton County, Chicot Formation - Gulf Coast Aquifer
Well Depth: 348 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 66-61-302
Wharton County, Chicot Formation - Gulf Coast Aquifer
Well Depth: 528 ft
100
150
200
250
300
1990 1996 2002 2008 2014
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-62-104Wilson County, Carrizo Sand - Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Well Depth: 925 ft
300
350
400
450
500
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 77-02-509Zavala County, Carrizo Sand - Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Well Depth: 734 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 77-38-103LaSalle County, Carrizo Sand - Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Well Depth: 2,084
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Figure 6-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in South and East Texas.
100
150
200
250
300
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 78-04-508Atascosa County, Carrizo Sand - Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,850 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 79-10-406Karnes County, Jasper Formation - Gulf Coast Aquifer
Well Depth: 416 ft
0
50
100
150
2001957 1971 1985 1999 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 80-17-502Victoria County, Lissie Formation - Gulf Coast Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,026 ft
150
200
250
300
3501964 1976 1988 2000 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 84-15-702Duval County, Goliad Sand - Gulf Coast Aquifer
Well Depth: 509 ft
*First water level of -86.2 ft. in 1956 not displayed
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Victoria County Recorder 8017502
Wharton County Recorder 6653406
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7.0 Central Texas (including the Hill Country)
The majority of the 38 recorder wells in the Central Texas Hill Country are completed in the Trinity Aquifer (figure 7-1).
Groundwater conservation districts in five counties co-sponsor 26 of these recorders. These local partnerships with the
TWDB monitoring have led to the installation of a relatively larger number of recorders in these counties. Kerr County
has facilitated the installation of 12 recorders, mostly since 2005. Districts in Kendall and northern Bexar counties have
recently added recorders (not all of which are discussed in this report) with the TWDB, having had recorders for longer
time periods on several Trinity wells in these counties. Thirty-two of the recorders are in the Trinity Aquifer, one is in the
Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer, three are in the Ellenburger-San Saba Aquifer, and two are in the Hickory Aquifer.
7.1 Major Aquifers
Water levels measured in 2010-2011 in the 33 recorder wells in the Trinity Aquifer and the one recorder well in the
Edwards-Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer experienced a median change of -16.7 feet and an average of -19.7 feet feet (table 7-1
and figure 7-2). The water level changes ranged from +1.7 feet in the Kerr County 5757805 well to -88.6 feet in the Kerr
County (5663924) well. This latter recorder is in the lower Trinity (Hosston) Aquifer portion of a dual completion well,
with the upper part completed in the middle Trinity (Glen Rose/Hensel/Cow Creek) Aquifer. The water level decline of
88.6 feet in this Kerr County well was the greatest change in a single recorder in the state from 2010 to 2011.
From 2009 to 2010, the median change in the Central Texas Trinity Aquifer wells with available data (30 wells) was +2.8
feet with an average change of +6.4 feet, with water level changes ranging from +73.1 feet to -26.0 feet.
Although biased in part by the inclusion of the newer recorder wells in Kerr County with short histories, overall historica
change in these 34 (mainly) Trinity Aquifer recorder wells ranges from a rise of 1.1 feet (an overall rise has occurred only
in two wells) to a decline of 100.4 feet with a median decline of 37.6 feet and an average decline of 35.5 feet.
7.2 Minor Aquifers
The two recorder wells in the Hickory Aquifer from 2010 to 2011 each experienced water level declines of 2.1
(McCulloch County) and 5.4 feet (Mason County), compared to a rise in each, from 2009 to 2010, of 0.5 and 2.8 feet,
respectively. Records in both wells extend to 1974, since which time water levels have declined by 19.9 feet (McCulloch)and 5.3 feet (Mason).
Water levels in the three recorder wells in the Ellenburger-San Saba Aquifer from 2010 to 2011 declined between 3.5 to
13.6 feet, with a median decline of 6.0 feet and an average decline of 7.7 feet. From 2009 to 2010, changes ranged from
- 9.3 feet to +1.2 feet, with a median change of +0.6 feet and an average change of -2.5 feet.
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Figure 7.1. Location of wells with TWDB operated automatic water-level recorders in Central Texas.
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Table 7-1. Water level changes, in feet, in TWDB recorders in Central Texas counties for various time periods.
County & well # Aquifer
2011
Change (ft)
2010
Change (ft)
2007-2011
Change (ft)
2002-2011
Change (ft)
Historical
Change (ft)
Historical
Yearly Avg. (ft)
5606613 Mason Hickory -5.36 2.77 2.87 6.95 -5.30 (1974) -0.14
5606614 McCulloch Hickory -2.08 0.50 2.99 5.12 -19.90 (1974) -0.54
5643901 Kerr Trinity -3.56 -0.42 N/A N/A -8.16 (2007) -2.04
5652704 Kerr Trinity -2.80 -2.22 N/A N/A -13.02 (2008) -4.01
5654106 Kerr Trinity -1.88 N/A N/A N/A -1.14 (2010) -0.62
5654405 Kerr Trinity -6.55 2.46 -7.31 N/A -11.60 (2004) -1.50
5655805 Kerr Trinity -1.12 1.16 0.61 N/A -0.79 (2005) -0.13
5661101 Kerr Trinity -4.60 -3.91 -14.95 N/A -16.75 (2005) -2.75
5661102 Kerr ET (P) -0.42 0.40 1.84 N/A 1.14 (2006) 0.20
5663922 Kerr Trinity -57.20 30.82 -32.70 -60.78 -88.12 (1998) -6.41
5663923 Kerr Trinity -55.89 -18.60 N/A N/A -84.19 (2007) -21.05
5663924 Kerr Trinity -88.57 73.10 N/A N/A -100.37 (2007) -25.09
5750108 Gillespie
Ellenburger
San Saba -13.59 1.21 -11.58 -19.08 -22.91 (1987) -0.94
5750324 GillespieEllenburger
San Saba -3.54 -9.29 -11.84 -13.58 -18.92 (1995) -1.16
5751407 Gillespie
Ellenburger
San Saba -5.95 0.64 N/A N/A -14.11 (2008) -3.53
5757805 Kerr Trinity 1.69 -7.20 -6.01 N/A 31.51 (2003) -3.71
5755607 Hays Trinity -31.42 18.94 -1.45 N/A -19.65 (2006) -3.42
5763705 Hays Trinity -8.47 -2.35 -17.13 N/A -8.95 (2002) -0.92
5764705 Hays Trinity -12.51 -0.63 -4.18 N/A -24.64 (1997) -1.23
5841406 Travis Trinity -33.68 29.06 N/A N/A -29.51 (2000) -2.57
5850120 Travis Trinity -28.40 8.51 -11.84 -75.34 -88.19 (1987) -3.64
6801314 Kendall Trinity -14.96 8.78 -12.37 -63.49 -48.16 (1984) -1.72
6801703 Kerr Trinity -24.02 3.61 -27.32 -42.32 -51.62 (2001) -5.08
6801704 Kerr Trinity -19.70 2.59 -28.90 -47.50 -49.80 (2001) -4.90
6802609 Kendall Trinity -18.16 3.08 -22.02 -35.83 -76.01 (1975) -2.08
6804312 Kendall Trinity -16.67 8.52 N/A N/A -20.88 (1999) -1.61
6807407 Comal Trinity -17.31 -25.99 -18.68 -20.55 -21.24 (1997) -1.42
6811417 Kendall Trinity -12.93 5.07 -4.25 N/A -40.35 (1999) -2.02
6815211 Comal Trinity -8.12 N/A N/A N/A -7.95 (2010) -5.30
6819208 Bexar Trinity -3.24 4.03 -3.62 3.59 -61.20 (1977) -1.80
6819806 Bexar Trinity -48.49 28.08 -17.84 -57.83 -52.62 (1990) -2.48
6820110 Bexar Trinity -18.41 2.49 2.84 -111.23 -23.56 (1987) -0.97
6904503 Kerr Trinity -7.50 -2.53 N/A N/A -17.90 (2007) -4.37
6907107 Kerr Trinity -31.51 17.01 -31.41 N/A -56.21 (2003) -6.25
6908304 Kerr Trinity -22.58 11.50 -31.98 N/A -39.88 (2006) -7.67
6908305 Kerr Trinity -27.67 17.50 -28.57 N/A -37.57 (2006) -7.23
6919401 Real Trinity -23.12 -6.82 -39.14 -52.48 -71.48 (1974) -1.91
6924225 Bandera Trinity -0.61 -13.41 N/A N/A 2.60 (2008) 0.13
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Figure 7-2. Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in Central Texas.
0
50
100
150
200
1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 56-06-613
Mason County, Hickory Aquifer
Well Depth: 312 ft
50
100
150
200
250
1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Depthtow
aterinft.
SWN 56-06-614
McCulloch County, Hickory Aquifer
Well Depth: 641 ft
350
400
450
500
550
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 56-43-901
Kerr County, Hensel Sand - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 870 ft
550
600
650
700
750
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 56-52-704
Kerr County, Hensel Sand - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,073 ft
450
500
550
600
6502009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 56-54-106Kerr County, Hensel Sand - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 889 ft
350
400
450
500
5502001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 56-54-405Kerr County, Pearsall Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 620 ft
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Figure 7-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in Central Texas.
50
100
150
200
250
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 56-55-805
Kerr County, Hensel Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 590 ft
400
450
500
550
600
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 56-61-101
Kerr County, Hensel Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 880 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 56-61-102
Kerr County, Edwards-Trinity Plateau Aquifer
Well Depth: 210 ft
200
250
300
350
400
1997 2001 2005 2009 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 56-63-922
Kerr County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 608 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 56-63-923
Kerr County, Pearsall Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 440 ft
200
250
300
350
400
450
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 56-63-924
Kerr County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 770 ft
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Figure 7-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in Central Texas.
0
50
100
150
200
1985 1992 1999 2006 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 57-50-108
Gillespie County, Ellenburger - San Saba Aquifer
Well Depth: 360 ft
0
50
100
150
200
1993 1998 2003 2008 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 57-50-324
Gillespie County, Ellenburger - San Saba Aquifer
Well Depth: 280 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 57-51-407
Gillespie County, Ellenburger - San Saba Aquifer
Well Depth: 228 ft300
350
400
450
500
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 57-57-805
Kerr County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 700 ft
50
100
150
200
250
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 57-55-607
Hays County, Glen Rose Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 372 ft
150
200
250
300
350
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 57-63-705
Hays County, Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: Bridged at 301 ft
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Figure 7-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in Central Texas.
0
50
100
150
200
1997 2001 2005 2009 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 57-64-705
Hays County, Cow Creek Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 400 ft
300
350
400
450
500
2000 2003 2006 2009 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 58-41-406
Travis County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 860 ft
200
250
300
350
400
1985 1992 1999 2006 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 58-50-120
Travis County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 855 ft
0
50
100
150
200
1981 1989 1997 2005 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-01-314
Kendall County, Hensell Sand - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 280 ft
100
150
200
250
300
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 68-01-703
Kerr County, Pearsall Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 340 ft
150
200
250
300
350
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 68-01-704
Kerr County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 750 ft
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Figure 7-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in Central Texas.
0
50
100
150
200
1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-02-609
Kendall County, Hensel Sand - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 281 ft
0
50
100
150
200
1997 2001 2005 2009 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-04-312
Kendall County, Cow Creek Limestone - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 310 ft
200
250
300
350
400
1997 2001 2005 2009 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-07-407Comal County, Glen Rose Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 575 ft
200
250
300
350
400
1997 2001 2005 2009 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-11-417
Kendall County, Pearsall Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 515 ft
0
50
100
150
200
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-15-211
Comal County, Pearsall Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 249 ft
350
400
450
500
550
1977 1986 1995 2004 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-19-208Bexar County, Sligo & Hosston Formations - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 893 ft
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Figure 7-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in Central Texas.
50
100
150
200
250
300
1990 1996 2002 2008 2014
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-19-806Bexar County, Glen Rose Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 710 ft
100
150
200
250
300
350
1985 1992 1999 2006 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 68-20-110
Bexar County, Pearsall Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 435 ft
600
650
700
750
800
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 69-04-503
Kerr County, Cow Creek Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 1,140 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 69-07-107
Kerr County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 610 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 69-08-304
Kerr County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 760 ft
200
250
300
350
400
2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
Dept
htowaterinft.
SWN 69-08-305
Kerr County, Hensel Sand - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 520 ft
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Figure 7-2 (contd). Selected hydrographs of TWDB recorder wells in Central Texas
Bexar County Recorder 6820110
200
250
300
350
400
1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 69-19-401
Real County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 820 ft
350
400
450
500
550
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Depthtowaterinft.
SWN 69-24-225
Bandera County, Hosston Formation - Trinity Aquifer
Well Depth: 800 ft
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8.0 Conclusions
In 2011, TWDB maintained and monitored a statewide network of 110 wells equipped with automaticgroundwater level recording instruments and dataloggers. Central Texas currently has the most recorder wells
(33) of any region of Texas.
Water levels declined in 101 of the 110 recorder wells during the period 2010-2011, compared to water leveldeclines observed in 55 of 99 recorder wells during the 2009-2010 period.
The statewide median water level decline from 2010 to 2011 in major aquifers was 4.8 feet, compared to themedian water level decline from 2009 to 2010 of 1.9 feet.
Total statewide median water level rise from 2010 to 2011 was 1.5 feet that occurred in 9 recorder wellscompleted in major aquifers. This compares to the median water level rise of 2.5 feet from 2009 to 2010 in 44
recorder wells .
Comparing water levels in major aquifer recorders by region (table 8-1), the median water level change from2010 to 2011 was greatest in the Central Texas Trinity Aquifer wells, a decline of 16.7 feet, and least in the West
Texas Edwards Trinity (Plateau) Aquifer wells, with a decline of 0.7 feet. The rise of 1.5 feet in the one Hueco-
Mesilla Bolson Aquifer recorder well was not included in this comparison.
By contrast, the median water level change for 2009 to 2010 for the major aquifer recorders by region wasgreatest in Central Texas Trinity Aquifer wells, with a rise of 2.8 feet, and least in North Central Trinity Aquiferwells, with a decline of 0.2 feet.
Table 8-1. Summary table of median water level changes by aquifer and region.
Median change
(ft)
2010 2011
Median change
(ft)
2009 - 2010
No. of Wells Region Aquifer
-16.7 +2.8 33 Central Trinity
-8.5 -0.2 13North
CentralTrinity
-7.6 -1.5 2 West Pecos Valley
-6.3 +0.9 8South and
EastGulf Coast
-4.4 -1.5 8South and
EastCarrizo-Wilcox
-3.5 -2.6 4North
CentralNorthern Segment Edwards (BFZ)
-3.2 +1.2 2Rolling
PlainsSeymour
-1.8 -1.0 26 Northwest Ogallala
-0.7 -1.3 13 West Edwards-Trinity (Plateau)
+1.5 +1.0 1 West Hueco Mesilla Bolson